There is no suggestion that Schrage's departure is linked to the incident. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg praised Schrage's contribution to the company.

"You've been committed to our mission throughout and have always seen the potential that comes when people can connect to others and build community. Thank you," Zuckerberg said in a comment under Schrage's Facebook post announcing his departure.

Schrage accused of sexism

Lamb, a managing partner at Arjuna Capital, used the shareholder meeting last month to raise concerns about Facebook's gender pay gap and other scandals involving fake news and hate speech.

Lamb approached Schrage at the end of the meeting to discuss her concerns in more detail, but she said he refused to engage, saying she was "not nice."

Natasha Lamb. Natasha Lamb

Lamb told Business Insider that his response was "stunning." She added: "Calling a woman 'not nice' who's being assertive and asking questions is just a classic example, almost a meme of sexism."

Lamb shared Schrage's apology email with Business Insider. She said he sent it after learning that she was going public with her story in a piece for the Financial Times, which was published on Monday.

His apology email

Lamb asked us not to publish the email in full, but it was titled "Our interaction — and Facebook's commitment" and contained a fulsome apology for his "poor choice of words."

"I want to apologize directly for my comments when we met at the FB shareholder meeting," Schrage wrote. "I shouldn't have expressed myself — and should never express myself — in ways that can correctly be interpreted as insulting or offensive. I was wrong to do so. I respect shareholders who shed light on important issues and push companies like ours to act thoughtfully and responsibly."

Lamb said that Schrage's apology was "adequate" and that she now considers the matter closed.

Facebook told Business Insider this week that it had repeatedly listened to Lamb's concerns and that it has paid men and women equally for the past three years, across its operations globally.